39-year-old bicyclist critically injured in Putnam wreck Saturday

A 39-year-old bicyclist was critically injured when he was struck by a sport utility vehicle while riding a bicycle about 12:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

A Florida Highway Patrol news release said Craig Skorich was riding his Cannondale bicycle southbound on Florida 207 in the right paved shoulder. A Honda CRV sport utility vehicle also heading southbound drifted to the right onto the shoulder and struck the rear portion of the bicycle with the right front area of the SUV.

State troopers say Skorich and his bicycle were thrown onto a grassy area of the shoulder. He was transported to Shands hospital in Gainesville where he is listed in critical condition.

The driver of the SUV, Ernie Wayne Vanattia, 64, of Palatka, was not injured. His 2011 CRV sustained $5,000 in damage.

Skorich, who lives in St. Augustine, was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the crash and Vanattia was wearing his seatbelt.